【If the pulse is long, it indicates Qi treatment; if short, it indicates Qi disease; if rapid, it indicates Qi heat; if slow, it indicates Qi cold; if strong, it indicates Yin injury; if wiry, it indicates Qi stagnation; if full above, it indicates Qi excess; if full below, it indicates Qi distension; if choppy, it indicates Qi stagnation; if weak, it indicates Qi deficiency. Any Qi that is not smooth will have a deep pulse.】
When Qi is congested, it must be dispersed; when Qi is stagnant, it must be unblocked; when Qi is obstructed, it must be opened (those with Qi obstruction may not urinate, or their pulses may be faint and imperceptible).
When Qi is sinking, it must be lifted; when Qi is excessive, it must be restrained; when Qi is floating, it must be settled; when Qi is deficient, it must be stabilized; when Qi is dispersed, it must be gathered.
When Qi is weak, it must be tonified (bloating may seem difficult to treat, but due to Spleen deficiency causing obstruction, it is appropriate to tonify the Spleen to restore its function, allowing the turbid Qi to flow smoothly, thus relieving the bloating. This is known as “using blockage to treat blockage”); when Qi is hot and excessive, it must be cleared; when Qi is cold, it must be warmed.
Illness caused by the seven emotions cannot be cured by medication alone, but can only be healed through the mutual restraint of the five emotions.
Sadness can treat anger, as sorrowful and painful words have a transformative effect; joy can treat sadness, as playful and light-hearted words have an entertaining effect; fear can treat joy, as urgent and death-related words have a terrifying effect. Anger can treat overthinking, as insulting and deceptive words have a counteracting effect. Overthinking can treat fear, as worrying about something can make one forget their fear. Habituation can treat shock (once accustomed, one will not be afraid again), and comfort can treat fatigue.
Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel) soothes the liver, Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange) regulates the diaphragm, Xiang Fu (Cyperus) disperses stagnation, Mu Xiang (Aucklandia) comforts the Spleen, Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) disperses fullness, Chen Xiang (Aquilaria) descends rebellious Qi, Qian Hu (Peucedanum) resolves phlegm, and Chai Hu (Bupleurum) raises clear Qi. Wu Yao (Lindera), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), and Zi Su (Perilla) can disperse evil Qi, allowing it to be resolved through sweating. Bing Lang (Areca) and Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel) can promote the downward movement of turbid Qi, alleviating the sensation of heaviness. Lai Fu Zi (Radish Seed), Su Zi (Perilla Seed), and Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel) descend Qi and moisten dryness, suitable for those with lung Qi stagnation in the large intestine.
Dou Kou (Cardamom), Chen Xiang (Aquilaria), Ding Xiang (Clove), and Tan Xiang (Sandalwood) are warm and spicy, suitable for those with severe Qi stagnation; those with prolonged stagnation that has transformed into fire should avoid these and instead use Jiang (Ginger) fried Shan Zhi Zi (Gardenia) as an adjunct.
The above herbs are used to treat diseases with excess Qi.
If there is also phlegm heat, accumulation, or bleeding, adjustments should be made according to the symptoms.
To regulate Qi, Mu Xiang (Aucklandia) is used, but it is warm and ascending. If Yin fire rises to the chest and throat, resembling Qi stagnation but is not, using it may instead exacerbate the fire; Huang Bai (Phellodendron) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) should be used, with a small amount of Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange) as an adjunct.
For Qi deficiency and Qi stagnation, use Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia) and Su Geng (Perilla Stem).
For blood deficiency and Qi stagnation, use Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) with Xiang Fu (Cyperus) and Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel).
For Kidney Yin deficiency and Qi stagnation, use Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six Flavor Rehmannia Decoction) with Chen Xiang (Aquilaria), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), and Sha Ren (Amomum).
For Kidney Yang deficiency and Qi stagnation, use Si Ni Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) with Rou Gui (Cinnamon) and Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea).
Overweight individuals with Qi stagnation will certainly have phlegm; use Er Chen Tang (Two Aged Decoction) with Xiang Fu (Cyperus) and Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange), using these drying herbs to open the orifices, and for severe cases, add Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) and Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed).
Thin individuals with Qi stagnation will certainly have fire; suitable herbs include Su Zi (Perilla Seed), Shan Zhi (Gardenia), Dang Gui (Angelica), and Shao Yao (Peony), to descend Qi and moisten.
Women with stubborn personalities are prone to anger, leading to bloating and pain that affects the chest and abdomen, or attacking the ribs, causing abdominal masses, irregular menstruation, or dizziness and vomiting, alternating between cold and heat; adjust with Zheng Qi Tian Xiang San (Uplifting Qi and Heavenly Fragrance Powder) and Si Qi Tang (Four Seven Decoction) as needed.
When Qi cannot rise and fall normally, and phlegm and fluids are excessive, use Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Seed Decoction to Descend Qi).
When Qi does not return to the origin, with Kidney Qi deficiency unable to retain lung Qi, symptoms include fatigue, low back pain, weak voice, deep pulse, and symptoms of cough and wheezing, with more exhalation than inhalation, and worsening with movement. Use Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea) as the main herb to strengthen the kidneys and gather turbid Qi to be expelled through the bladder. Alternatively, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) can also be used, as it harmonizes the stomach, allowing the stomach Qi to be balanced, thus enabling Qi to return to the origin; this is the treatment principle for both Spleen and Kidney deficiency.
For both lung and kidney deficiency, with Qi not returning to the origin, and difficulty breathing while lying down, suitable herbs include Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Hu Tao (Walnut), and Ren Shen (Ginseng).
Prolonged Qi stagnation can lead to damage to the middle Qi; it is not advisable to use aggressive methods, but rather to use Gui Pi San (Return the Spleen Powder) and Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) with adjuncts like Fu Xiong (Chuan Xiong), Xiang Fu (Cyperus), and Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange) to soothe stagnation. The treatment for postpartum issues (retained lochia) is similar.
Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin (Aucklandia Flow Qi Decoction) treats all Qi diseases, benefits the San Jiao (Three Burners), opens the Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), and addresses swelling, wheezing, and pain effectively.
Fen Xin Qi Yin (Dispersing Heart Qi Decoction) promotes urination and treats worry, anger, and Qi stagnation.
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Seed Decoction to Descend Qi) treats Qi rebellion.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Middle Boosting Qi Decoction) treats Qi deficiency and sinking.
Yue Ju Tang (Escape Resentment Decoction) treats Qi stagnation in the middle burner.
Source: “Yi Yan”
Note: This article is a translation and compilation by the author based on ancient texts. The treatment methods and prescriptions mentioned are derived from ancient texts and are for reference and study only. If needed, please consult a professional TCM practitioner for diagnosis and treatment.